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JUDGE. A. B. PARKER'S
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
(Continued from Second Page.)
as to all persons over sixty-two.
The war closed nearly forty years
ago. In the meanAme many of our
soldiers and sailors long survived the
age of sixty-two. and passed away
without receiving any pension. Skill
ful pension attorneys hunting through
the statute failed to find there a pro
vision giving a pension to all who had
reached sixty-two. Many prominent
veterans urged the justice of con
gressional action giving a service
pension to all veterans. Bills to
that effect were introduced in con
gress. And not until March of this
year did any one ever claim to have
made the discovery that the president
had power to treat the statute as if
it read that when a claimant had pass
ed the age of sixty-two years he is
necessarily disabled one-half in ability
to perform manual labor and there-.
fore entitled to a pension.
The president of the civil service
commission. Gen. Jno C. Black, for
merly commissioner of pensions and
commander in chief of the
grand army of the republic
indicated his view of the order when
in a recent address he thanked the
president for what he had done, and
advised his hearers to use their in
.9uence that a law might be passed to
the same effect. Full confidence af
ter all seems not to have been placed
on the defense of justification, for
it is pleaded in mitigation that a
former democratic president did
something looking in that direction.
Even if it were so-which is not ad
mitted-our present duty would be
none the less plain and imperative.
Our people must never tolerate the
citation of one act of usurpation )of
power as an excuse foe an
other. The first may possibly
be due to a mistake; the sec
ond, being based on the first, cannot
be. In explanation, however, it
should be said that the order relied
on simply provided that the age of
seventy-five years should be regarded
as evidence of inability to perform
manual labor. Few men are able
to perforrm manual labor at that age,
but nearly all men are at sixty-two.
The first order is based on a fact
that experience teaches, the other is
based on the assertion of that which
is not true as a general rule.
The old inquiry, "What are you
going to do about it?" is now stated
in a new form. It is said by the
administration, in reply to the public
criticism of this order, that "It is
easy to test our opponents' sincerity
in this matter. The order in question
is revocable at the pleasure of the
executive. If our opponents come
into power they can revoke this or:
der and announce that they will treat
S the veterans of sixty-two and seventy
as presumably in full bodily vigor
and not entitled to pension. Will
they authoritatively state that they
intend to do this? If so, we .accept
the issue."~
This suggests the suspicion, at
least, that the order wvas made to
create an issue-that it was suppos
ed to present a strong strategic po
teassumption of that order, as
sttdby the administration, is re
vocable at the pleasure of the execu
tvithaving been an attempted,
though perhaps unwitting encroach
ment upon the legislative power, and,
therefore unwarranted by the consti
tution. I accept the challenge and
declare that if elected, I
will revoke that order. But I, will
go further and say that that being
done, I will contribute my effort to
ward the enactment of a law -to be
passed by both houses of congress
and approved by the executive that
will give an age pension without ref
erence to disability to the surviving
heroes of the Civil war: and under
the provisions of which a pension
may be accepted with dignity-~ be
cause of the consciousness that it
comes as a just due from the people
through their chosen representatives,
and not as largess distributed by the
chief executive.
Foreign Relations.
The foreign relations of the gov
ernment have in late years assumed
special importance. Prior to the ac
quisition of the Philippines, we were
practically invulnerable against at
tacks by foreign states. Those t.rop
ical possessions, however, seven
thousand miles from our shores, have
changed all this and have in effect put
us under bonds to keep the peace.
The new conditions call for a man
agement of foreign affairs the more
circumspect in that the recent Amer
ican invasion of foreign markets in
all parts of the world has excited the
serious apprehension of all the great
industrial peoples. It is essential.
therefore, more than ever, to adhere
strictly to the traditional policy of
the country as formulated by its first
president and never, in my judgment.
wisely departed from-to invite
friendly relations with all nations
while avoiding entangling alliances
with' any. Such a policy means the
cultivation of peace instead of the
glorification of war, and the minding
of our own business in lieu of spec
tacular intermeddling with the affairs
of other nations. It means
strict observance of the principles of
international law and condemns the
doctrine that a great state, by rea
son of its strength may rigl'tully ap
propriate the sovereignty or terri
tory of a small state on account
of its weakness. It means for other
American states that we claim no
rights and will assume no functions
save those of a friend and of an ally
and defender as against European
aggressions. It means that we re
p sate the role of the American con
tinental policeman: that we refuse to
act as debt collector for foreign
states as their citizens: that we re
spect the independent sovereignty of
each American state and its right to
preserve order and otherwise regulate
its own internal affairs in its ovn
way: and that any intervention in its
affairs by us is limited to the single
office of enabling its people to work
their own political and national des
tiny for themselves free from the
coercion of any European state.
Reform in Governmental Expendi
tures.
Twenty-eight years have passed
since the democratic party of the
state of New York, in convention as
sembled, recommended to the nation
al democracy the nomination of Sam
uel J. Tilden as its candidate for the
presidency, and declared it to be
"their settled conviction that a return
to the constitutional principles, frugal
expenses and administrative purity
of the founders of the republic is the
first and most imperious duty of the
-imes,-the commanding issue now
before the people of the union." This
strong expression was called forth
by the national expenditures for the
year 1875. which amounted to $27'4.
ooo,ooo,-a situation which, in the
oinion of a majority of our people,
justified an imperative demand for
reform in the administration of public
affairs. As the expenditures of the
last fiscal year amounted to the enor
mous total of $582,000,000, it is evi
dent that a thorough investigation of
the public service and the immediate
abandonment of useless and extrava
gant expenditures are more neces
sary nowv than they were then. This
astounding increase is out of all pro
portion to the increase of our popu
lation, and finds no excuse from
whatever aspect we view the situa
tion. The national democratic plat
form declares that "large reductions
can easily be made in the annual ex
penditures of the government with
out impairing the efficiency of any
branch of the public service." Can
there be any doubt of the accuracy
gfthis statement? Between the ex
penditures of the year 1886, amount
ing to $242,0oo,000, and those of the
last fiscal year-the seventh after
Groyer Cleveland ceased to be pres
identaggregating $582,000,000. there
is a difference so great as to excite
alarm in the breasts of all thought
ful men. Even including the sum of
$50,00,000 paid for the Panama canal
rights and to the state of Panama. the
expenditures of the last fiscal year ex
ceeded the sume of $532,0oo,000, being
more than double the expenditures
of the government for all purposes
during the first year of Mr. Cleve
land's administration.
The expenses of the first four years
succeeding the last democratic ad
ministration amounted to the enor
mous average of $511,000,000 per
year. This large expenditure was
due to a considerable extent to the
cost of the Spanish-American war,
which occurred during that period:
but the termination of that war
brought no relief to the treasury, for
the average annual expenses of the
gomnmn, inring the threes subse
quent years ending June 30, 1904.
were about $5i9,ooo.ooo, which is the
largest sum hitherto reached, during
a like period. since the close of the
Civil war.
This draft upon the revenues of the
country has had the effect which
might have been anticipated. and now
we have presented the reverse of the
situation, which led to the famous ob
servation, "It is a condition, and
not a theory, which confronts us;"
for although the present incumbent
found at the close of the first fiscal
year. during which he assumed con
trol of the administration, a surplus
of receipts over expenditures of more
than $91,ooo.ooo. there was an excess
of expenditures over receipts at the
close of the last fiscal year of $42.
ooo.ooo. and the official monthly re
ports made by the treasury department
show that the expenditures are con
tinuously and rapidly increasing,
while the receipts are diminishing.
In this conn-ction it is interesting I
to note the recent administrative or
ddrs forbidding government officers
from making public any statement of
estimates on which future appropria
tions are to be based.
If a man of ordinary intelligence
and prudence should find in the oper
ating expenses of his business such
a tremendous percentage of increase,
would he not promptly set on foot
an inquiry for the cause of the waste,
and take immediate measures to stop
it, especially when trusted employees
have been found dishonest and con
victed, and a widespread impression
exists that a thorough investigation
may discover other cases of malfeas
ance? When the chief executive re
ported to congress that , "through
frauds. forgeries and perjuries, and
by shameless briberies the laws re
lating to ihe proper conduct of the
public service in -general, and to the
due administration of the post-office
department have been notoriously
violated * * * *," there was a general
popular demand for a rigid, sweeping
investigation by congress in addition
to that undertaken by the executive
himself. Such an investigation the
republican majority in congress
would not permit. although the mi
nority insisted that the interests of
good government demanded it. And
the minority was right. The liber
ality, patriotism and national pride
of the people should not bc made an
excuse for waste of the public funds.
Official extravagance is official crime.
There is not a sentence in the re
publican platform recommending a
reduction in the expenditures of the
government; not a line suggesting
that the increase in the cost of the
war department from $34,000,000 in
1886 to $115,ooo,ooo in 1904, should be
inquired into: and not a paragraph
calling for a thorough investigation
of those departments of the govern
ment in which dishonesty has been
recently disclosed.
The people, however, can by their
votes, if they desire it, order such an
investigation and inaugurate a policy
of economy and retrenchment. It
is safe to say that this will not be
accomplished by endorsing at the
polls the republican majority of the
house of representatives which refus
ed the investigation and made the ap
propriations. nor by continuing in
power the administration which made
the disbursements.
Reform in expenditures must be
had in the civil, military and
naval establishments in order that
the national expenditures may be
broght to a basis of peace and the
government maintained without re
course to the taxes of wvar.
Conclusion.
I have put aside a congenial work,
to wvhich I had expected to devote
my life, in order to assume, as best
I can, the responsibilities your con
vention put upon me.
I solicit the cordial co-operation
and generous assistance of every
man who believes that a change of
measures and of men at this time
would be wise, and urge harmony of
endeavor as well as vigorous action
on the part of all so minded..
The issues are joined and the peo-1
pe must render the verdict.
Shall economy oi administration
be demanded or shall extravagance
be encouraged?
Shall the wrongdoer be brought to
bay by the people, or must justice
wait upon political oligarchy?
Shall our government stand for
qual opportunity or for special priv
Shall it remain a government of
aw or become one of individual I
:aprice?
Shall we cling to the rule of the 4
people. or shall we embrace benZfi- I
:ent despotism?
With calmness and confidence, we
iwait the people's verdict.
If called to the office of president,
shall consider myself the chief mag
strate of all the people and not of
mv faction. and shall ever be mind
ul of the fact- that on many questions
)f national policy there are honest
iifferences of opinion. I believe in
:he patriotism. good sense and ab
;olute sincerity of all the people. I
shall strive to remember that he may
serve his party best who serves his
:ountrv best.
If it be the wish of the people that
undertake the duties of the presi
lency. I pledge myself, with God's
1elp. to devote all my powers and
mergy to the duties of this exalted
>ffice.
Very truly yours,
Alton B. Parker.
The Semitic museum at Harvard
iniversity has lately received from
Dr. Conrad Schick. the distinguished
aerman archeologist, now living in
erusalem, two large models of the
:emples of Solomon and Herod.
Imporant Notice.
rhe Farmers Oil Mill Offers The
Following Exchange Rates Per
Ton of Seed.
1130 pounds of No. i meal and
?oo pounds of hulls, or 1400 pounds of
No. 2 meal and goo pounds of hulls.
We will not make the No. 2 meal
(that is. meal with hulls in it) but we
have just perfected arrangements
whereby we can furnish it at ithat rate
to persons desiring a low grade arti
cle.
To further prove that our mill is
run in the interest of the producers,
we now announce that at the end of
the season we will substract from our
gross income the legitimate rnnning
expenses of the mill together with
10 per cent. on the capital stock and
pay the rest to the people who have
either exchanged or sold us seed and
that in the proportion to the amount
of seed furnished us. This is your op
portunity to make the mill pay and
to share in the profits. All we ask is
seed enough to run 8 months. Fur
nish them and we will pay a hand
some profit to you. You get your
share if you bring us but one load of
seed.
Beginning today we will pay 25
cents for seed at our gin. Next week
we hope to be able to have room for
all the 'seed offered us.
We want to express our apprcia
tion of the large business already
iven us and we regret that we have
rot had the room to take all the seed
ffered.
Farmers Oil Mill
Newberry, S. C., Sept. 2,3 1904.
OF
Newberry, S. C..
rganii.mec 1896.
Capital - - - $50,000
Surplus - - - 19,500
Paid Stockholders
since organization 21,000
Paid Depositors in
Savings depart
ment since or
ganization - - $9,200
A man working by the de y is paid
r the time he puts in at work, but
when that man saves a dollar for his
la's labor' it works for him nights,
as well as days; never lays off on
account of bad weather and never
ets sick, but goes right on earn- 4
ing him an income. It's a nice
hing to work for money, but it's
nuch nicer to have money working 4
or you. Try it-open a savings
ccount with us and get some money
working for you. Make a deposit
n the Savings department today
mnd let it begin to work for you.
nterest computed at 4 per cent
anuary i and July z of each year.
Reflections of a Spinster.
It makes a girl awfully tired when
man insists upon explaining in de
ail why he is of a c2rtain political
)ersuasion when she doesn't under
tand it. don't care and only asked
irm to be polite.
Some girls are so artistic that they
:an fall in love with a handsome man
vithout even knowing how large the
nan's salary is.
Miss Bessie L. Simmons,
Music Studio
(Over Pelham's Drug Store.)
Piano and Voice.
.erm beginning Monday, Sept. 5, 1904
$3.00 Per. Eight Lessons.
Brick!
Brick!!
For Sale by
C. H. CANNON.
Southern Railway.
forTs Fa ... - St. Los
Best Line,
Choice of Routes,
rhrough Pullmar Sleepers,
Dining Cars.
Stop-overs allowed at Western
North Carolina Summer Re
sorts and other points.
Low Excursion Tickets.
For full information or World's
Fair literature apply to any
agent Southern Railway, or
R. W. HUNT,
'Div. Pass. Agent
Charleston, S, C..
Cotton Giiaaing
We are pre
pared to gin 125
bales per day at
50 cents a bale.
Wil furnish bag
ging and ties at
rnarket prices.
We invite your
patronage. Will
buy your seed.
Souuhern Cotton Seed Oil Co.,
L. W. FLOYD,
Manager.
MOWERS,
SAKES,
Grain Drills.
Do not place your
rder for these ma
:hines untill you get
yur PRICES, we have
:he BEST MADE.
F. A..SCHUMPERT,
Sec'v and Treas.